HIF-1α Regulates the Progression of Cervical Cancer by Targeting YAP/TAZ.

Cervical carcinoma is one of the serious pernicious cancers that influence women's health. Invasion and metastasis are the chief reason of poor prognosis of cervical carcinoma. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a significant regulatory factor of intracellular oxygen supersession, and its expression or increased activity is closely related to the arise and expansion of various human tumors. However, the relationship between HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1) and Hippo pathway target gene Yes-related protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator (TAZ) in cervical carcinoma remains unclear. Here, we studied the clinical correlation of HIF-1α and YAP/TAZ expression in normal tissues, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). In order to analyze the role of HIF-1α in CCSC in vitro, SiHa cells with high expression of HIF-1α and C33a cells with low expression of HIF-1α were screened by detection. After transfection with lentivirus, HIF-1α levels were downregulated in SiHa cells and upregulated in C33a Cells, respectively. Then, the expression of HIF-1α in transfected cervical cancer cells Siha and C33a was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, and the expression of YAP/TAZ was detected in cervical squamous cell carcinoma cells after HIF-1α expression was altered. To explore HIF-1α role in cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, we examined the changes of cell function in cervical cancer cells with HIF-1α overexpression and inhibition by MTT assay, wound healing assay, Transwell test, and other cell function tests. At the same time, HIF-1α overexpression and HIF-1α inhibition cervical cancer cells were transplanted into nude mice, and tumors were isolated from the nude mice, and tumor volume and weight were observed. In conclusion, HIF-1α significantly promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cervical carcinoma cells by upregulating YAP/TAZ. In addition, YAP/TAZ, the target gene of Hippo pathway, plays an important role in CCSC cells, pointing out that HIF-1α is provided with treatment potential for the treatment of CCSC.

Bachu Mushroom Polysaccharide Alleviates Colonic Injury by Modulating the Gut Microbiota.

Objective: This study was to define the protective effect of purified Helvella leucopus polysaccharide (p-HLP) against dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced colitis. Methods: The novel p-HLP was isolated from Bachu mushroom through hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and column chromatography. Then, we evaluated the potential effects of p-HLP on colonic histopathology, inflammation, and microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice. Results: p-HLP was a homopolysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 39.14 × 108 Da. Functionally, p-HLP significantly attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss and colon shortening. The histological score of the colon lesion was significantly decreased upon p-HLP treatment. Also, p-HLP treatment led to decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators (IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α, and COX-2 and iNOS) and increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the colon tissues. Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed that p-HLP modulated the composition of the gut microbiota. Conclusion: p-HLP is a potent regulator that protects the lesions from DSS-induced colitis.

Comparative Metabolomics Revealed the Potential Antitumor Characteristics of Four Endophytic Fungi of Brassica rapa L.

Endophytic fungi of medicinal plants have attracted wide attention due to their various active biochemical substances that are similar to those of the host plants and can be easily fermented and cultured. As a traditional medicine and food homologous plant in Xinjiang, Brassica rapa L. has a long history of applications. Recently, it has been shown that B. rapa L. has hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. However, there are no studies on the function and diversity of enophytic fungi of B. rapa L. Four endophytic fungus (pr6, pr7, pr8, and pr10) strains were isolated from B. rapa L. in our laboratory. The metabolic extracts from pr10 have significant effects in terms of antitumor activity. In this study, in terms of types and contents, compared with those of the other three endophytic fungi, the dominant metabolites of pr10 were determined by comparative metabolomics analysis. The results of metabolomics analysis indicated that the metabolites of pr10 are rich in amino acids and sugar derivatives such as trehalose, whose ability to inhibit the A549 cell line has been proved. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of B. rapa L. and its endophytic fungi to form antitumor agents.

Analysis of National Natural Science Foundation of China during the period of " 12th Five-Year Plan" in Xinjiang Medical University / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective Information of the funding projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Medical University from 2011 to 2015 was collected and analyzed in this paper.It also summarized the successful experiences,existing problems of project management during the "12th Five-Year" period for future improvement.Methods Statistical analysis was carried out on the funding projects by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2011 to 2015.Results With the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,the scientific research work experienced rapid progress and great improvement in Xinjiang Medical university.Conclusions By summarizing and improving the level of fund management in our university,we can also provide support for the sustainable development of our university's scientific research.

Increased Expression of TGF-ß1 in Correlation with Liver Fibrosis during Echinococcus granulosus Infection in Mice.

To investigate the potential role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 in liver fibrosis during Echinococcus granulosus infection, 96 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, experimental group infected by intraperitoneal injection with a metacestode suspension and control group given sterile physiological saline. The liver and blood samples were collected at days 2, 8, 30, 90, 180, and 270 post infection (PI), and the expression of TGF-ß1 mRNA and protein was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. We also evaluated the pathological changes in the liver during the infection using hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and Masson staining of the liver sections. Pathological analysis of H-E stained infected liver sections revealed liver cell edema, bile duct proliferation, and structural damages of the liver as evidenced by not clearly visible lobular architecture of the infected liver, degeneration of liver cell vacuoles, and infiltration of lymphocytes at late stages of infection. The liver tissue sections from control mice remained normal. Masson staining showed worsening of liver fibrosis at the end stages of the infection. The levels of TGF-ß1 did not show significant changes at the early stages of infection, but there were significant increases in the levels of TGF-ß1 at the middle and late stages of infection (P<0.05). RT-PCR results showed that, when compared with the control group, TGF-ß1 mRNA was low and comparable with that in control mice at the early stages of infection, and that it was significantly increased at day 30 PI and remained at high levels until day 270 PI (P<0.05). The results of this study suggested that increased expression of TGF-ß1 during E. granulosus infection may play a significant role in liver fibrosis associated with E. granulosus infection.

Association between APOE polymorphism and metabolic syndrome in Uyghur ethnic men.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Uyghur ethnic men in Xinjiang, China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 482 patients with MetS and 510 healthy sex-matched and age-matched controls were recruited from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The participants were subjected to routine physical and blood biochemical tests, and APOE genotyping was performed. RESULTS: The APOE ε3/3 was the predominant type, with a frequency of 71.8%, while ε2/2 was less common than ε4/4 in Uyghur males. The frequencies of the APOE2, E3 and E4 alleles in Uyghur males were 8.5%, 80.0% and 11.5%, respectively. However, the distribution of APOE genotypes was significantly different between the MetS and control groups (p<0.001). In the MetS group, the frequencies of the ε2 and ε4 alleles and the frequencies of the ε2/2, ε2/3 and ε2/4 genotypes were significantly lower than those of the control group. Those individuals without the ε2 and ε4 alleles had higher MetS prevalence than the other gene carriers, and the ORs of these individuals developing MetS were 1.5 and 1.27 compared to the gene carriers. Triglyceride, serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower and serum high-density lipoprotein was higher in the ε2 carriers than the ε3 carriers, and the prevalence of MetS, central obesity, high blood pressure, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia was lower in the APOE2 group than in the APOE4 group. The risks of these individuals with ε4 allele carriers getting these changes were 1.327, 1.780, 1.888, 1.428 and 2.571 times greater than those of ε2 allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS: APOE4 is associated with many individual components of MetS, whereas APOE2 was associated with a reduced risk of MetS at the univariate level in Uyghur ethnic men.

Activity in mice of recombinant BCG-EgG1Y162 vaccine for Echinococcus granulosus infection.

Cystic hydatid disease is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus which is distributed worldwide. The disease is difficult to treat with surgery removal is the only cure treatment. In the high endemic areas, vaccination of humans is believed a way to protect communities from the disease. In this study we vaccinated BALB/c mice with rBCG-EgG1Y162, and then detected the level of IgG and IgE specifically against the recombinant protein by ELISA, rBCG-EgG1Y162 induced strong and specific cellular and humoral immune responses. In vitro study showed that rBCG-EgG1Y162 vaccine not only promote splenocytes proliferation but also active T cell. In addition, the rBCG-EgG1Y162 induced a protection in the mice against secondary infection of Echinococcus granulosus.

[Construction and expression of the Echinococcus granulosus recombinant BCG-EgG1Y162].

OBJECTIVE: To construct and express Echinococcus granulosus recombinant bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) strain rBCG-EgG1Y162. METHODS: The encoding gene of the antigen EgG1Y162 of E. granulosus was recombined with E. coli-Mycobacterium shuttle expression plasmid vector pMV361 by genetic engineering technique, and transformed into E. coli for amplification. The recombinant plasmid rpMV-EgG1Y162 was identified by PCR, double digestion with restriction enzymes, and sequence analysis. The confirmed rpMV-EgG1Y162 was transformed into BCG strain via electroporation technique to construct the recombinant rBCG-EgG1Y162. After identification by PCR and double digestion with restriction enzymes, the recombinant strain was cultured for about 2 weeks. In order to induce the expression of target protein, the rBCG was placed in 45 degrees C for 30 min. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were used to analyze the expressive protein. RESULTS: The product of recombinant plasmid rpMV-EgG1Y162 was approximately 360 bp by PCR amplification and double digestion with restriction enzymes, consistent with the expected fragment length. Sequencing results showed that the inserted sequence was correct. The rBCG-EgG1Y162 grew well and the identification of PCR and enzyme digestion revealed accuracy. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that the relative molecular weight (M(r)) of the protein was about 71 000. CONCLUSION: The E. granulosus rBCG-EgG1Y162 strain is constructed and expressed.

The research on the reform of microbiology teaching in Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialty / 中华医学教育探索杂志

So in pharmaceutical microbiology teaching, we made education reform according to pharmaceutical characteristics, that is to revise syllabus, update teaching content, reform of teaching methods, use modern means of teaching to train students in innovative spirit and ability. Besides, we strengthen the practice of teaching, conduct comprehensive and applicative experiment, So that our educational content is more in line with teaching objectives of Chinese pharmacy specialty, and help students to engage in basic knowledge of microbiology, experiment skills, capacity to analysis and solve problems.